The Queen will welcome Harry and Meghan with open arms next week as her entire family gathers to celebrate her historic platinum anniversary.
Sources say the 96-year-old monarch is “looking forward” to seeing her great-grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. She will probably spend some private time with them next Saturday when Lilibet celebrates her first birthday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their children reside at Frogmore Cottage, their home in Windsor, a short drive from the Queen’s private apartments in the castle.
The sovereign has made it clear that she does not want family dramas to overshadow next weekend’s four-day national celebration.
The humble monarch wants the anniversary weekend, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, “to be an occasion for the country, including her own family, to come together,” a source said.
Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, will attend the national Thanksgiving service for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
It’s clear that the Sussexes are likely to attend at least one other public gathering – although sources have strongly warned the public “shouldn’t expect them at every event”.
They will also spend private time with members of the Royal Family and introduce the Prince of Wales to Lilibet for the first time. He hasn’t seen Archie, three, since he was a baby.
It’s unclear if the Sussexes will spend time alone with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children. William is known to have been hit hardest by his brother’s alleged betrayal.
Camera icon Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will visit Prince Harry’s family in England for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Credit: Peter Dejong/AP
An insider emphasized: “Her Majesty is generally very keen that the platinum anniversary is not a celebration of herself and her own longevity, but of the institution of the monarchy and the people who support and sustain it.
“It is also an opportunity for people to come together after a very difficult period for this country. She doesn’t want anything to overshadow it — and that includes any family issues.”
As the nation prepares to celebrate the Queen’s unprecedented 70 years on the throne:
Brits are expected to spend £3bn over the anniversary weekend;
· An estimated 16,000 street parties will be held across England;
· The Met Office says a ‘plume of warm air’ will bring plenty of sunshine during the public holiday;
· Travelers were warned of a week of disruption on roads, trains and airports.
It’s clear that other members of the royal family support the queen’s magnanimous gesture towards the Sussexes, though privately there is some nervousness about how the week will unfold.
Meghan hasn’t seen most of them since she bitterly retired as a working royal two years ago, while Harry has only seen his grandmother, father and brother briefly.
There is also still a lot of pain over the couple’s repeated attacks on the family.
The Queen – who is enjoying a break at Balmoral in Scotland as part of efforts to “pace” her diary – has always made it clear that Harry and Meghan are “dearly loved” members of her family, despite the pain they have caused.
She chose to invite only working royals – as well as William and Kate’s children – to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Color on Thursday to avoid any awkwardness in the public family, especially so early on the weekend of the celebrations.
Camera icon The Duke and Duchess are not invited to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour. Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Ga
However, there have been suggestions that Harry and Meghan could be in the VIP section to watch the spectacular military event at Horse Guards Parade. They will be sure to attend the Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s on Friday.
Another issue is where the Sussexes should sit: should they take their place in the Royal Box at events and if so, who will they be with next to family dynamics and body language bearing in mind the eyes the world will be on them?
It is unknown if the couple will be joined by a Netflix camera crew or personal photographers to capture their trip to England.
But they wouldn’t get any special treatment if they did.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes said that “the Duke and Duchess are delighted and honored to attend the Jubilee celebrations.”